Prerequisites for

Cryptology: Machines, History and Methods
Deavours, Cipher A. (Editor) / Kahn, David (Editor) / Kruh, Louis (Editor) / Mellen, Greg (Editor) / Winkel, Brian J. (Editor). 1989 (Currently out of print). 520 pages.
Categories: Biographical, Cryptanalysis, History
The 2nd volume of selected papers from the CRYPTOLOGIA journal (see also the "Cryptology: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" and "Selections from Cryptologia: History, People, and Technology").
All three volumes are unsurpassed in their highly illustrated analysis of historically significant cryptography machines. (This is, however, is probably the weakest of the three volumes.) The many topics in this volume include:
* Biographical information on cryptographically important individuals including Marian Rejenski, Georges-Jean Painvain, and Duke August.
* Articles on automated analysis of substitution ciphers.
* Pictorial discussion on the proper use of an Enigma.
* The St. Paul's Churchyard tombstone ciphers.
* Ongoing analysis of the Beale Ciphers (probably a hoax).

Recommended prerequisite books:
N/A
Suggested mathematical background in:

-  Probability and Statistics
Suggested computer language experience:

-  BASIC